Page 15 of Wrong Number, Right Valentine

We munched on our toast and sipped coffee in silence until Reg said he had something to show me. He’d slipped on a pair of shorts while I made the food, and something about him wearing that tiny scrap of clothing turned me on more than when he was naked. When I was done licking the marmalade from my fingers, I planned to jump the man.

“You’re full of surprises. I thought I’d seen it all last night.”

I outstretched my foot and shoved it between his legs, pressing the sole gently on his crotch. His breath hitched, and his dick swelled.

“You’ve seen nothing yet.” His head fell back, and he closed his eyes as he moaned and grasped my foot, pushing it against his hardness. “I want to be inside you again, but you should get to know me better before we…” He groaned.

“I know you’re a hard worker, a fair boss, a good man, and an amazing lover. I’ll learn more over time.”

Reg sat up, my foot no longer making contact with his cock.

“But I’m different than most guys.”

He didn’t need to explain. I’d dated on and off for years, and most of the men I’d been out with were asshats. I hadn’t had a serious relationship in forever.

“You are.”

Reg’s eyes locked on mine, and goosebumps paraded over my skin as his pupils darkened. If I hadn’t spent two nights with him, one in the restaurant and one on a date and then in his bed, I would have been wary of what was behind that gaze.

But this was Reg, my Reg as I’d begun to think of him, even though we’d known one another a few days.

“When you’re done eating, I’d like to take a drive.”

Okay, this was a little weird. He had to go to work later, and instead of cuddling and being together at home, he wanted to go out.

“Ummm, okay. Why?” He might need food, though he could always eat at the restaurant this evening. I was disappointed that I had to share him with the rest of the world, which was silly because he wasn’t my prisoner. That gave me an idea for when we were together next time. We could role play kidnapper and captive.

Reg took both my hands. “There’s something you need to see. Something important.”

“And I can’t do it here?”

He made a face. “Not really. It would be awkward, and the furniture could get smashed.”

Perhaps my face registered fear. “Don’t worry. This is all me. Nothing will happen to you. I promise.”

Reg’s reassurance did nothing to quell my anxiety. But he was asking me to trust him, and I could take off and never see him again or let him show me this mysterious whatever it was. If it was too freaky for me, I’d cut my losses and run.

I made it sound so easy, as though I’d shrug and say, “Better luck next time.” But my heart would be ripped from my chest if Reg turned out not to be who I’d built him up to be.

He got dressed and handed me the rest of my clothes. He massaged my brow, saying I was worrying too much. “You love me buck naked, right?”

I nodded, not understanding the leap between what we were about to do and him having no clothes on.

“Perfect. You’ll get to see me strip in the woods.”

We were going into the deep dark forest? In February? Oh no. That changed everything.

12

REG

I wished I’d had time to plan, organize, and come up with the perfect words to say as I explained my wolf side to my mate. But every second that we were together, every second that I didn’t tell him the truth about who I was and who he was to me, felt like a second too long.

When I said we were going to the woods, he didn’t balk. Did he look surprised? Absolutely. But he got into the car without asking too many questions. I chose to believe it was because he trusted me, though it could’ve just been his determination to see this through to the end. Either way, I was grateful.

I drove to my favorite place to shift. It was off the beaten path, with a beautiful spring running through it, and it wasn’t far from my place, so it never felt like a chore to drive there. Today would be the first day I brought anyone along. Even my parents hadn’t been here—they’d stopped by for visits with me, of course, but never long enough to truly share the peace this place offered my beast.

“Where exactly are we going to hike?” he asked. “We passed the state park entrance already.”

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